Donald's Encyclopedia of Popular Music

NEWBURY, Mickey

(b Milton S. Newbury Jr, 19 May '40, Houston TX) Country singer and songwriter who wrote many hits for others. Began writing songs in high school, also singing tenor in a harmony quartet; joined USAF '58 and was stationed in England; returned to Galveston '63 and worked on shrimp boats. Moved to Nashville '65 as he took his writing seriously; got a contract with Acuff-Rose (Wesley Rose was listed in his ASCAP biography as chief collaborator). He slept in the back of his car for a few months, eventually had songs recorded by Eddy Arnold ('Here Comes The Rain Baby'), Don Gibson ('Funny, Familiar, Forgotten Feelings', later a pop hit by Tom Jones), Carl Smith ('How I Do Love Them Old Songs'). Signed to RCA for two LPs '67--8: Harlequin Melodies and Sings His Own incl. songs that defy categorization but often ended up in the pop charts (e.g. 'Just Dropped In' by Kenny Rogers and the First Edition). He went to Mercury, made highly praised Looks Like Rain '69 incl. classics 'She Even Woke Me Up To Say Goodbye', 'San Francisco Mabel Joy' and 'I Don't Think Much About Her No More'. Moved to Elektra for series of albums that again generated large praise and small sales, incl. Frisco Mabel Joy '71, I Came To Hear The Music '72, Heaven Help The Child '73, Live At Montezuma/Looks Like Rain '74. He had a top 30 pop hit with his 'An American Trilogy' '71, based on three Civil War songs, also recorded by Elvis Presley live in Las Vegas '72; his 'Sunshine' made the Hot 100 '73. He provided hits for Johnny Rodriguez, Tompall and the Glaser Brothers, Roger Miller, Waylon Jennings, Marie Osmond and many others. Further LPs incl. Rusty Tracks, Eye On The Sparrow and The Sailor '77--9 on ABC-Hickory (later MCA); After All These Years '81 on Mercury, Sweet Memories '85 on MCA, In A New Age '88 on Airborne, Nights When I Am Sane '94 on Winter Harvest.